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The Attributes of God Displayed.

SAGACITY OF A DOG..

"I WILL here mention a sagacious dog, which I frequently saw at the Piazza de Spagna, at Rome, where he took his station, and, on perceiving any one stand still, used to look him full in the face, and begin to bark. In this formidable manner, he accosted me one day, as I was conversing with an old priest, who had long been resident at Rome, and was well acquainted with the dog's sagacity. He informed me, that the only way to get rid of him was, to give him a piece of money called a biocca, equal to an English penny. This I did, by throwing it on the ground, as the most prudent method; the animal's countenance denoting rather fierceness than good nature. He immediately took it into his mouth, and turning the corner of an adjacent street, entered a baker's shop, where he stood on his hinder legs, and, depositing the money on the counter, received a small loaf in return, with which he walked off, to my great amusement and admiration. The dog was in excellent case; and on inquiry, I found he came on a similar expedition almost every day in the week to this baker's shop." [From Milford's Tour.

REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF ATTACHMENT IN A BIRD.

In the Menagerie of the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, there is a large bird, called by Naturalists the Bengal Crane, but which is known on the coast of Africa by the name of Marabou. Its bill is very strong, of great length, and sharp pointed; and its head, when held upright, is as high as a man's. This bird was brought from Senegal by M. Valantin, a merchant, who, during the voyage, bestowed on it all the attentions necessary for its preservation; and it was given by another person to the Museum of Natural History. Two years after he had parted with his marabou, M. Valantin, on his arrival at Paris, determined to pay it a visit. He accordingly repaired to the Menagerie ; on entering, he found the bird surrounded by spectators, who, however, kept at some distance, as it was dangerous to approach too near. Judge, then, of the surprise of all the bystanders, when they saw M. Valantin go into the marabou's cage. They all censured his rashness, fearing lest he should be assailed by the bird's terrible beak. The marabou, on the contrary, suffered itself to be approached, caressed, and embraced; and knew again the voice which soothed it with kind and friendly language. It was a curious, nay, almost an affecting sight,

to behold this huge biped, sometimes in the arms of its former master, heaving deep sighs; sometimes gently disengaging itself, and twining round him; at the same time uttering a plaintive clucking, followed by repeated chattering of its bill. These various actions produced a deep impression on the spectators, who looked upon them as signs of gratitude as unequivocal as any that could have been given by man.

The Grace of God Manifested.

For the Methodist Magazine.

A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND DEATH OF MRS. SALLY AGARD,

SALLY AGARD was the daughter of John and Lowly Stone, of Litchfield, Connecticut, and was born Sept. 25, 1785. She was blest with a religious education, and was much respected by her acquaintance. She gave, however, no evidence of religious impressions, which were lasting, until July 1, 1808, when she attended a Camp-Meeting in Sharon, Connecticut.Though led to this place merely from curiosity, it proved the means of her conversion. The morning after the meeting commenced, she was persuaded by her pious sister to join in a prayer-meeting. Here the Spirit of the Lord so operated upon her heart, that, under a sense of condemnation, she cried aloud to God for mercy, while others were engaged in ardent intercessions at the Throne of grace on her behalf. In a few hours her soul was delivered from the burden of guilt, and she was enabled to rejoice in God her Saviour. On her return home she freely declared what God had done for her soul, thus, "with the mouth making confession unto salvation." Soon after she joined the Methodist Church, of which she proved a worthy member.

About this time her health began to decline. She continued stedfast in the faith, and diligent in the use of all the means of grace. At a Camp-Meeting in Rhinebeck, state of New-York, the Lord deepened His work of grace in her heart, so that her joy appeared to be full. From this time she seemed ripening for glory.

In November following, according to a previous engagement, she was married to Mr. Samuel Agard of Catharine, York state, to which place she was shortly removed. She was now called to exemplify the Christian principles and character, in a new relation of life; and, as her husband did not profess experimental godliness, she had to encounter trials of a new kind; but her

trust was in God, to whom she cleaved with full purpose of heart, and was accordingly abundantly supported and comforted. It ought, however, to be obseved, that notwithstanding Mr. Agard did not enjoy religion, he manifested a regard for it, and assist ed his wife in attending upon the stated ordinances of God; but, in consequence of ill health, and other reasons, she was, in some measure, prevented from enjoying those privileges as often as she wished. She, nevertheless, was faithful in her private devotions, and in discharging the various duties of life. In this she enjoyed consolation.

Feeling much for the moral and eternal state of her unconverted husband, she was excited to pray often for his salvation. She frequently told him, that if any thing made her desire to live, it was to see him happy in the love of God. For this, therefore, she ardently prayed, and her prayers were finally answered.

The disease with which she was afflicted, the consumption, caused her to suffer much pain and distress; but in the midst of all, she evidently increased in faith and love, and was truly a pattern of piety and patience. Her zeal for God, and her activity, as far as her declining health would permit, in His service, made her very useful to society. Though her bodily strength was much exhausted, on Sept. 26, 1811, she, in company with her husband, attended a Camp-Meeting which was held in the town where they resided. Here she laboured hard for the salvation of souls, and great was her faith in God. Some remark. able instances of answers to her prayers were witnessed at this memorable meeting. Among others, I will relate the two following.

A young man of her acquaintance was suddenly convicted of sin, and in anguish of soul, cried to God for help. While in this keen distress, many prayed for him, seemingly to no purpose. In the meantime our departed sister was earnestly engaged in his behalf. She at length arose from her knees, and said, "Brethren, God has given us the victory!" This she repeated three times. In a few moments, the young man himself arose, and declared that God had given him the remission of his sins. The other was her husband; who, on the last morn ing of the meeting, found him of whom Moses and the Prophets did write. Although extremely weak in body, she had wrestled in prayer for him almost the whole night. The Lord answered her importunities, by putting a new song into his mouth, and giving her the participation of his joys. Several others, through her instrumentality, as they have since acknowledged, were powerfully awakened to a sense of their lost condition.

It was now evident that she was fast verging towards the eternal world; and she witnessed the silent approaches of death with the utmost fortitude and calmness, often speaking of her approaching dissolution with Christian composure, in the full hope of a blooming immortality. Death, indeed, had no terrors for her. Her conversation was chiefly concerning religion and heaven. A cheerful solemnity was visible upon her countenance, and sweetened her society to her friends and acquaintances. Holiness was her constant theme. It was her motto. She often said that her time on earth was short. The last LoveFeast she attended, she observed that she should never attend another. Though her spiritual conflicts were at times severe, and thereby tested the genuineness of her faith, yet she triumphed in God her Saviour in the midst of them all.

When suffering great pain and distress, she would sing,

"The more my sufferings here increase

The greater is my future biiss," &c.

"So be it then, if thou ordain

Crown all my happy life with pain
And let me daily die," &c.

For three weeks before her confinement, she declined fast, and on the morning of that day she assisted in preparing breakfast, and then observed it would be the last time she should assist in that work, which proved true; for the day following we were alarmed by witnessing the blood issuing from her stomach, which so weakened her as to confine her to the bed. Ов being asked if she were willing to die, she replied, "O yes!" Her husband asked, if deprived of her speech, what signal she would give to denote her happiness in God, and prospects of glory? She said, "I will raise my finger." Accordingly, a short time before her death, the neighbours being called in to witness her last struggle, being speechless, to our great joy she repeated the signal several times.

Contrary to our expectations her speech returned; and being in an ecstacy of joy, she exclaimed in rapturous triumph, O precious Jesus! O glorious Redeemer! O glory to God! I am going home! I am glad I have borne the cross, for now I see a crown of glory reserved for me. O glory! glory! I am going. O Jesus, why do thy chariot wheels delay? He is coming! Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, and receive me to thyself. After a few moments of pause, she broke forth again in lofty strains, giving glory to God. She spoke with an audible voice, frequently clapping her hands, saying, my joys are inexpressible. She then desired us to send for a family who denied the power of religion. When they came, she addressed herself to one of them as follows:-"O Susan-Susan-look at me, and pre

pare to die! I am happy-Glory! glory! glory! I am going to my Jesus! Those Christian friends who were present, rejoiced from a feeling sense of the presence of God; while unbelievers wept, and acknowledged it must be the power and work of God. From this time she advanced rapidly towards the termination of her mortal existence; and on Sabbath morning we thought her dead, and accordingly sung, "Happy soul, thy days are ended," &c. But she again revived, and exhorted us all to be faithful. Though we watched her departing breath, and waited to witness the flight of the immortal spirit from its expiring partner, yet she said to us, "I shall not die to day; but on Thursday I shall finish my work." Accordingly on that evening she closed her eyes in death, and no doubt but her ransomed soul ascended to the regions of the blessed. The text which was used as the foundation of her funeral sermon, will apply to her, it is thought, with great truth-" Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord." She ended her days upon earth in her 29th year.

Miscellaneous.

THE BENEFITS OF CONSTANT COMMUNION WITH GOD.

Extract of a Letter from Miss R. M. to her female friend in

MY DEAR FRIEND,

this city.

Nantucket, July 13, 1821.

YOURS came at a moment when my soul was so absorb ed in the profound contemplation of God, that all sensibility of what I ever was, or had ever known, seemed to be lost; while my earthly tabernacle almost sunk under the weight of His awful Majesty who surrounded me. I was in my private apartment, a place sacred by reason of the communications of the Holy Spirit, when a messenger called; I thought, probably, something comes to obtrude upon these devoted moments, and divert the current from the channel which seems already open to let me into the full sea. But lo! it was the welcome, wished for intelligence from a valued friend, whose spirit breathed an air so congenial to my own, that my felicity was augmented by the union of a kindred soul. My mind relieved (if you can allow such an expression) from the almost insupportable load of mercy and love, left me in possession of a placid serenity of soul, the basis of which can never be removed! 'tis God himself.

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